Bulk billing paeds for reflux in Brisbane?

I'm really hoping someone can help. Our baby has silent reflux & 10mg of Losec per day is not enough to keep it at bay. Our GP has given us a referral to a paed but the initial consult is $360 & follow ups are $160 which is far outside our financial capacity. I'm worried we won't be able to afford to complete treatment for him

Does anyone know of any paed's in Brisbane (preferably Northside) who bulk bill? If so could you please PM me? My little man has had to deal with agonising pain daily for almost 8 weeks now & we are all completely shattered, I haven't slept more than 2hrs in a stretch for this whole time & I can't bear to see my baby go through this any longer than he has to.

Have you considered seeing a different GP who may have more experience with infant reflux?Or you could get back in contact with your GP and tell her/him that you cannot afford the Paed and does he have any alternatives for you and that might even be a referral to the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane?I hope things improve asap.

Have you considered seeing a different GP who may have more experience with infant reflux?Or you could get back in contact with your GP and tell her/him that you cannot afford the Paed and does he have any alternatives for you and that might even be a referral to the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane?I hope things improve asap.

He's been on Losec for 4 weeks now thanks to my GP & I agree with her that we need a specialist. She said if we went public (so through hospital) we'll be waiting for months which won't do - it was a week and a half to get in to very expensive private paed. We'll try & manage as many appointments as possible & hope he can help us quickly. Thanks for the reply.

I would suggest just ringing around the paeds. Call private practice clinic at the RCH and Mater and explain what you are trying to find. Some of them do bulk bill private if you have concession cards but dont advertise it. Some will charge for initial but then bulk bill future appointments. its what i always used to do with any of the kids specialists when we lived in brisbane.

Our little girl had reflux and we were given a prescription that the paed had to apply for on our behalf, but medicare actually then sent it out to us and it was for about 6 months worth I think. It was a longer prescription than usual and had to be approved by a paed but once we'd done it, we didn't have to go back so often. The dr knew what her problem was so didn't need to see her over and over...just needed to give me access to the longer prescription. Hopefully you could do this for your baby and I hope he outgrows it asap.

I'm also going to send you some big hugs - it was seriously one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with as a parent...in fact I'd say it IS the hardest thing. Take care, take time out occasionally if you can, and don't be too hard on yourself. Silent reflux SUCKS. Take care xo

He's been on Losec for 4 weeks now thanks to my GP & I agree with her that we need a specialist. She said if we went public (so through hospital) we'll be waiting for months which won't do - it was a week and a half to get in to very expensive private paed. We'll try & manage as many appointments as possible & hope he can help us quickly. Thanks for the reply.

We did not need any follow up when DS1 was diagnosed with reflux. The paed came up with a management plan including escalation of meds and we implemented it with the GP.

There are no private specialists in any field that bulk bill as standard; many will bulk bill HCC holders and other low income groups. Do explain that you are worried about follow up costs; the paed will work to minimize appointments, and may well give you reduced fees or bulk bill some visits, or if your son requires specialist follow up, will get to into a public clinic in an appropriate time frame.

Thank you. I'll call RCH & Mater & see if they can advise. I have a HCC, I'll also call paed office & see if that makes a difference. Every day my darling boy smiles & giggles at me & I know I am the luckiest person in the world because he is mine. We just have to get through this. Excuse imagery but reflux can go have intercourse with a quadroped, I feel so horrendously helpless, all I can do is hold him while he screams in pain. I wish so hard I could take the pain for him

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